The Best Highlighters for Every Skin Tone, According to This Makeup Artist

Highlighting is a trend that isn't going away anytime soon—and we're definitely not complaining. Who doesn't want to that halo effect? But there's an art to finding the perfect highlighter for you. "[It's] all about the finish you want, achieving your ideal radiance and lit-from-within quality. You can highlight the skin with metallic, opalescent, wet, or glossy highlights," says Glamsquad Director of Artistry Kelli J. Bartlett. "It's also key to find a product (powder vs. cream) that works with your skin’s natural moisture and oil balance. Drier skin tones should work with cream products to infuse moisture while oilier skin tones should opt for powder to offset the existing oil."

Strategically placing the highlighter is also important for Bartlett. Key areas of the face include the tops of the cheekbones, the Cupid's bow, the nose, and the inner corners of the eyes. She is also a fan of highlighting the clavicle. "A general rule is to highlight the areas on your face or body that you want to stand out, reflect light, or grab attention," she says.

Not all highlighters are made the same. Some are different shades of pink. Some go on icy white. Some go on translucent and give off dewy vibes. To figure out which shades work best on specific skin tones, we asked her to break it down for us.

Medium To Dark Skin

"This slightly warmer version of champagne with a touch of rose undertone adds an extra layer of dimension to the already existing warmth of medium to dark skin tones." says Bartlett. "The rose color also helps to counteract any sallow undertones." Her pick is the MAC Cream Color Base in Hush.

Its creamy formula gives a very nice dewy finish. It lasts up to eight hours, and you can go from sheer to intense color because of its great buildability.

Team Byrdie is OBSESSED with this highlighter. The cream-to-powder formula feels so light, that you will think you're not applying any product on. But don't be fooled; it is packed with shimmer to give you that killer glow.